Lanier Township in Gratis in Preble County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mr. Hiram Evans (1808-1876) & Mrs. Elanor Humphrey Evans (1805-1850)

— Hall of Honor —

Mr. Hiram Evans & Mrs. Elanor Humphrey Evans Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

1. Mr. Hiram Evans & Mrs. Elanor Humphrey Evans Marker

Inscription. The Evanses-builders, owners, and operators of the Bunker Hill Tavern in Fairhaven-were crucial members of the Underground Railroad and its operations. The couple provided a safe haven for runaway slaves and their fearless conductor, a former slave himself, Gabriel "Old Gabe" Smith. The tavern also became synonymous with security, as it offered refuge to builders, "post boys," or young men who delivered mail, and even 49ers on their way to strike it rich!

Inducted into the Hall of Honor September 30, 2023

As recorders of Preble County history, PCHS and The Register-Herald are natural partners in co-sponsoring the Hall of Honor

Erected 2023 by Preble County Historical Society - The Register-Herald. (Marker Number 50.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 2023.

Location. 39° 39.507′ N, 84° 32.85′ W. Marker is in Gratis, Ohio, in Preble County. It is in Lanier Township. It is at the intersection of Swartsel Road and Ohio Route 122, on the right when traveling south on Swartsel Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9693 Swartsel Road, Eaton OH 45320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: Myron Edgar "Scottie" Scott (here, next to this marker); Henry Horn (here, next to this marker); James I. Nisbet (here, next to this marker); Harry Raymond McPherson (here, next to this marker); Dr. Charles Floyd Hildebolt II, D.D.S., Ph.D. (here, next to this marker); Gabriel "Old Gabe" Smith (here, next to this marker); Kenneth J. Garber (a few steps from this marker); Paul E. (1914-2007) & Ruth Phelps Fitzwater (1916-2004) (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gratis.

Preble County Historical Society & Nature Reserve - Hall of Honor image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

2. Preble County Historical Society & Nature Reserve - Hall of Honor

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.